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$3K laptop, help me choose.

About every 3 years or so my company give me money for a laptop. It is also my ONLY work machine. When I get to work I plug it into a 21" monitor and use USB KB/Mouse. This time they say ~$3000, so here is what I've come up with. All have their strengths and weaknesses, but which would you choose? Like I said, I'll have to use it for the next 3 years, and they'll all be repartitioned and have some for of Linux installed. And the nominees are:

the T or A series should be around 3K meeting the same specs as the DELL.

I got a DELL last year, and its ok....I've seen/used the IBM lappies, and they're a much better build IMO. and I hate how quickly DELL discontinues support for their laptops! I can't even get a replacement for my spare battery cause the battery model has been discontinued...WTF...1 year?!

this would be my list in order of preference from the options you listed.

Well I went to the site, and did a few configs. You can't even Get a GB of ram or a DVD burner. You can't get processors as fast. The closest config I could do to the Dell was almost $1000 more. Who pays $1000 more for LESS machine?

The alienware would be my choice. Since this is basically a "desktop replacement", I'd get the closests thing to it. Sure, battery life will be minute, to say the least, but it will run circles around all those other laptops. The hard drive is the real bonus IMO. All those others will most likely be running slow 4200rpm or if you're lucky perhaps 5400rpm hard drives. From reviews, that Hitachi drive appears to be one quick little demon.

I agreee that IBM builds one of the, if not the, most solid laptops around, but if you have to sacrifice so much performance for a similarily priced system, it's just not worth it.

Originally posted by RDX The hard drive is the real bonus IMO. All those others will most likely be running slow 4200rpm or if you're lucky perhaps 5400rpm hard drives. From reviews, that Hitachi drive appears to be one quick little demon.

ordered the Alienware

There is a $200 discount if you order the 16" in Conspiracy Blue, so I did that. I turned in the PO for 3400, and they signed off on it!! It's the same config, only has " Area-51m Case with 16.1" UltraXGA 1600x1200 LCD Display". Our logo is silver on blue, and that will be silk-screened on it too. Can't wait to play with it!!

The only saving grace is when I get one, they don't say spend $1200. I get to go pretty top-of-the-lin when I buy. It lasts a little longer that way. I don't think a 1GHz PIV with a gig of ram will be feeling slow any time soon. I'm sure at the end of it's life it will, but the one I'm on still does allright.

Are you limited to just those? Since Alienware is in the mix I assume you may play some games?
This is the next model up from the AlienWare, Includes the Mobility 9600 w 128 (not shared), and popout Mp3 Player and A built it TV Tuner. Also included in the $3K is 3.2, 1Gb Ram, and DVD writer. Been using them for quite a while and have never had any problems. They also offer the business lease.

I did check them out just then, and the ATI card would be more important to me not for gamign, but form image quality. ALOT of what I do on my work machine is writing scripts and code. A big screen that looks good is important.

I thought about cancelling the Alienware, but I've never heard of this company, and and have no clue about repair or warranty work.